California is now attaching real penalties to a rule that many social media users may have assumed was already in force. Influencers who are paid to post about politics must disclose that arrangement.
Under the new law, each violation can bring a fine of up to $5,000, and cases can also be referred to law enforcement as potential misdemeanors, according to TechCrunch.
Here's what to know
The AB 1130 measure that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed reinforces California's disclosure requirements for influencers paid to promote state or local campaigns.
The statute also allows suspected violations to be referred to law enforcement as potential misdemeanors.
The New York Times reported that billionaire Tom Steyer paid dozens of influencers to post about his campaign, drawing wider attention to the issue because many of those posts did not initially disclose that they were paid.
Similar rules are emerging elsewhere.
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Texas already requires disclosure for paid political content, and other states are considering comparable measures as campaigns increasingly rely on creators and online personalities to reach voters where they spend their time.
More background
Influencer marketing has become a major part of modern political outreach.
This is especially true among younger voters, who may be more likely to encounter campaign messaging online than through traditional TV ads or mailers.
When a political message comes from someone a viewer follows for lifestyle advice, comedy, or commentary, it can be hard to tell whether the post reflects a genuine opinion or a paid arrangement.
The bill was part of a larger set of regulations Newsom approved that his office said was intended to guard against possible election meddling by President Donald Trump.
The change could lead to more explicit labels on political endorsements and campaign messaging online.
What's being done?
California is moving from a system that required disclosure on paper but offered little punishment for noncompliance to a system with penalties that regulators can enforce.
The new law could also push campaigns, agencies, and creators to tighten their internal review processes.
Influencers who accept political sponsorships may now need clearer contracts, better training, and stronger compliance checks before anything goes live.
Platforms and campaign teams could face added pressure, too. The law targets disclosure failures by paid posters in digital political advertising, an area that has operated in a lightly regulated gray zone.
Democratic Assemblyman Marc Berman said he introduced the bill after realizing there was "a bit of ambiguity about the [existing] law and how it's enforced."
Where can I learn more?
These articles address campaign funding in California, corporate misinformation lawsuits, and local fines.
• In California's governor's race, Big Oil and corporate giants poured millions into countering Tom Steyer.
• California sued ExxonMobil for spreading "lies and mistruths" about plastics recycling to consumers.
• Napa County retailers could face fines up to $5,000 a day under a stricter plastic bag ban.
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